Page 6 of Her Loving Shadow
I’ll check on you later.
You better rest!
Nico
I take the page out of the journal and lay it on the nightstand so that she’ll see it first thing once she wakes. I take one long look at Aubrey laying in the bed before turning out the light and heading for the door. As I make it to the front door, I take note that Timur has had the door fixed, and had a new lock installed. Making a mental note to thank him later, I step out the door onto the front porch, making sure to latch and lock the door securely behind me.
I stand there for a moment, taking in everything, noticing again that there's a different car sitting just up the street with a stranger who doesn’t belong in this subdivision slouching down inside of it. Good luck hiding from me motherfucker, I’m trained to notice shit like that. I leer at it for a moment before turning left and going into the adjoining duplex. It’s time to get changed and get this shitshow on the road. When I come out of my place, ready to take on the evil that I surround myself with, the car is stationary, rooted in the same spot as earlier.
For the second time, I take a mental picture of the make and model as I make my way to my black-on-black SUV. I decided to take the long way around in an effort to see the license plate so I can memorize it. Just like my gut was telling me, the car was out of place, there was no license plate attached, and the guy inside is crouched down, low enough that I could make out his face as I passed the vehicle. Taking my phone out, I call my closest and most trusted guys, to get over here and guard Aubrey and her home.
If she’s taken care of, I’ll be able to focus on the job at hand, and not be distracted with worry. In this world, that is the most important thing, if not, you may find yourself wearing cement shoes. Staying focused on the here and now is the difference between one’s life and death. Not getting lost or distracted by other things is key to survival. Ignoring your gut is an oversight that gets you eighty-sixed and swimming with the sharks.
As I swerve into the warehouse parking lot, I notice that there are more people milling around than normal.
I slide my SUV into the spot closest to the door, throwing the gear shift into park. Stepping out, the smell of mildew and rotten trash wraps around me like an old lover seeping into my every pore. I swore when I pulled myself out from the gutters that I would never come back here. Well, I was fucking wrong because here I am. Not to say, being here may not be a choice, and it doesn’t mean that I have to enjoy my undesired return, but coming back to my humbled beginnings makes the life I have now seem so much sweeter. My lips lift in a snarl as I make my way through the oppressiveness, I hustle up to the door, and knock on it. The small window quickly slides open, and just as quickly, closes before I hear the clang of the heavy-duty locks releasing.
“It’s good to see you, Sir,” the man says, the admiration in his voice reminds me how glamorous my lifestyle is to someone struggling to pay their bills and keep food stocked in the cupboards and in the refrigerator.
I reciprocate his welcome by giving him a stiff nod. I don't stop to speak to him as he is one of our Shestyorka, or errand boys. I make my way across the warehouse taking note that it seems emptier than it should be when we were supposed to have not one but two fucking shipments delivered. I reach up pinching the bridge of my nose, trying to push the impending headache back and away. This isn’t a good thing, in any way, and until I know more, I don’t even know where to start when it comes to fucking fixing this shit.
“Nico.” Anton gives me a short bow, “It’s good to see you, even if it's under these dire circumstances.”
I reach my hand out taking his, giving him a fierce shake, then demanding, “Tell me exactly what you know.”
“I’ve called our contacts and got a hold of those who’re in charge of getting our shipments in. They should be here any moment,” Anton abruptly explains.
“I guess it’s a good thing that I’ve brought Timur in. He should be here in ten minutes,” I inform him, pointedly making sure he understands the severe magnitude of the situation.
“I didn’t think things were bad enough for us to raise things to that level yet. I’ll umm… go get things ready,” he says, his voice a little shaky.
“That would be the wisest choice. You should’ve already had things prepped and ready,” I condemn him, wondering if he’s skillful enough to be in charge of any of our operations. I’m not sure if he’s lazy, or a stupid fuck. “I’m reconsidering your rank. I’m not convinced that you are the right man to hold your Stantsiya position.” I scowl at him. Not only because of the fact that he’s acting nervous and skittish, but it’s also due to the fact that he’s irritated me to the point that I’m not rational and can’t promise that I’m clear headed enough to not slip into my mother language.
“Ya ponimayu, ser,” Anton mutters in our mother language, turning to get away from me and do, I’ve got no idea what, but it’s for the best that he scampered away. As long as he’s out of my sight, I couldn’t care less. He’s getting sloppy and that’s not something I accept without question.
Sighing, I look down at my phone when it vibrates. Looking down, I see it’s a message from the man I have on Aubrey. He’s letting me know that the car is still parked there. Groaning, I shove my phone back into my pocket, mentally exhausted and ready to be done with fucking everything at this point.
“That must not be a very good message,” Timur states, coming up behind me.
“Pakhan, thank you for joining us,” I say, taking his offered forearm and pulling him into a one-armed hug.
“I know when you feel it necessary for me to be here, then things aren’t as they should be. In truth, I’m surprised to see you here with everything that’s happened to Aubrey over the last few days,” Timur admits, pulling a cigarette from his pack and placing it in between his lips, but not lighting it.
“Need a light?” I ask, tugging out my lighter for him.
Timur glares down at it like it’s a snack ready strike before pulling the cigarette from his mouth. “No. I’m trying to quit. It’s fucking habit to carry them, especially during these situations.”
Sticking my lighter back into my pocket, I rip out a pack of gum from the same pocket, and hand it over to him.
“Tell me more about what’s going on. Why does my warehouse look like we haven’t had a shipment in way too fucking long?” Timur scowls, swiveling his head around from one section of our warehouse to the other.
“All I know at this moment is that Anton called to let me know that your shipment didn’t arrive. At the same time, letting me know that this is the second one that hasn’t been delivered. Anton has stated that he has everyone on this side who is supposed to get us the shipment heading this way. They should be coming through the doors at any moment. If they can’t answer our questions satisfactorily, then we need to set up a meeting with the families down south,” I say, briefing him of our current predicament, as well as advising him of my suggestion as to how to handle this if things don’t get resolved after this encounter as several men start trickling inside.
Anton comes over to join us from my left, with several men trailing behind him, carting in plenty of tables and chairs to accommodate everyone. Once they have it all set up they turn to leave. Anton stays, coming over to pat all the guys down for wires, and anything else that could record or broadcast this confidential meeting. Once everyone is checked over, Timur, and the men take a seat at the table. Timur just watches the guys, not saying anything, and just like the weasels they are, the men start tripping over themselves, flapping their gums, and happily throwing each other under the bus to save their own skin.
Cowards.
He lets them speak, and say what they need to for a few moments, before he finally looks back at me, silently demanding me to shut them down. I let out a loud, long whistle, bringing them to silence. They all stop talking and turn white as a ghost. They know someone has royally screwed this shit up. Timur pulls a tablet from his back and sets it up on the table.
